How to Teach Your Toddler to Take Turns

Encouraging a young child to take turns is difficult and can be stressful on both parent and child. Teaching them a helpful song to sing while they wait, helps them get through what can seem like an eternity until it is their turn, written by Betsy Masi

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• patience, repetition and a singing voice

1. Start by standing in front of your child and singing this song to them. "Taking turns, taking turns, taking turns is what I learned. I do a dance, I sing a song and sooooon my turn comes rolling along". Clap through the song at a slow beat. On "do a dance" do a little tapping dance with them. On sing a song" hold you hands up to your mouth to enunciate the song. On "soon my turn comes rolling along" barrel roll your hands.

2. Keep singing the song and doing the motions with your child. They tend to be so happy they are playing with you they forget they are upset over the wait on their turn.

3. Telling a child to wait and showing them how to wait are two different things, it will take a bunch of tries but soon they understand. If you remain calm, they will be more likely to remain calm as well. Have fun with your kids, every day.